Recovery through art

Much has been spoken about artists who suffer for their art the truth about Charlie is that he did no such thing.

He suffered. Only then did he become an artist.

It was to take over thirty years of addiction for Charlie to discover art, and to begin the road to salvation through it. No training. No prior interest in art beyond manic and nervous doodlings. No inkling at all that such a potent means of expression remained latent within him until he was encouraged to use art as a form of therapy at a Rehabilitation Center in America in 2003.

Since that time Charlie has transferred his addictive personality to creation rather than destruction, and his art has been a major part in him finding self worth in his recovery.

Breastfeeding in Heaven

This picture just came out of the paint. Very weird. Canvas 40 x 50"

Crack Den Baby #1

Seen in a Crack Den in Barbados. Mother and child in the acrid smoke. Canvas 36 x 24"

Fart

Drawing: Pastel. Board 12 x 15" It was a skinhead against the wall but it smudged and the result was amazing.

I gotta quit

Cigarettes. I gotta quit - says it all really. Canvas 36 x 36

Waiting for the doorbell to stop ringing

At the end of my addiction. Curtains shut, phone disconnected. waiting only for the dealer (who rings in 3 sharp buzzes). Canvas 50 x 40"